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The door to Andrew's office banged open by a hard push from the other side. There wasn't the decency of knocking or even a question for permission. Lukas stormed into the room, dragging a reluctant Alec with him by the arm.

The boy had a developing black eye on his face and his clothes were scuffed and torn. It wasn't too much of a loss, at ten, he was starting his growth spurt and would likely out grow them within a few months.

He let Alec go and he stumbled a few feet.

"What," Lukas snapped, as always in Russian, "Have you been teaching the boy?"

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Nope. He didn't.

"Perhaps you should have thought about that before you began your discussions about the perils of having an agreed upon set of rules so that society doesn't descend into anarchy."

"So you're under the impression I should have shielded the boy from any discussion of morality, simply because it might confuse him? I never suggested that he stop following the rules. I encouraged him to think critically about said rules, and attempt to ascertain why those rules might exist. Perhaps you're right, perhaps he was too young for such an academic discussion, but I hardly think that I've encouraged him to become a little anarchist."

"He's been stealing things. He's been in fights. He apparently told one of the teachers that he shouldn't have to say a prayer in school because religion is just made up anyway and praying to nothing was a waste of time when they could be doing other things." That one irks Lukas.

Andrew offers a slight smirk at this last comment. "The argument about religion, at the very least, I'd agree with. Prayer in school is ridiculous and outdated. Not everyone practices religion, nor should they be forced to make a spectacle of it in public, even if they do wish to pray."

For a brief moment it looks like Lukas is going to fight him about that. He hadn't been able to get Alec to come with him to church at all, which bothers him greatly. But he's not going to say that.

Alec on his side of things beams at the compliment. At least the fact that he was right according to Andrew, even if it wasn't directed at him.

"Perhaps you should work on the idea that there's a time and a place for everything and school is not one of those places where Sasha should be practicing your ideals," he says. "He listens to you as if your word was gospel."

"I should certainly hope that Sasha doesn't listen to me as though my word was gospel," Andrew says, and he genuinely seems to be telling the truth. "He should form his own opinions. I only discuss these things with him to help him form a better understanding of the world around him, and to help him reach his own choices. If all he does is parrot my beliefs, then perhaps that attempt isn't working as well as I would have hoped."

It's always sort of startling when Andrew calls him Sasha. Alec doesn't mind it, of course, it's just a bit strange.

"Apparently he has been, if what's been happening in school is any indication." Lukas also notes the use of Sasha, and represses a smirk. "But he is ten and ten year olds tend to follow examples before them as what to do. It's how children learn what's right and what's wrong."

He gives a cough and then shakes his head briefly. There's a worried look over in Alec's corner.

"But what's right and what's wrong is so subjective," Andrew argues. He's always believed it, and he won't change his beliefs just because he's raising a child.

"I would like to believe there are a few things that remain absolute."

He raises his hand and gives a slashing gesture as he speaks. Alec flinches just briefly.

"Then we'll have to agree to disagree."

Andrew's voice is firm, like he wants to hear no argument whatsoever.

"Then you aren't going to punish him stealing?"

"I'm going to talk to him about what society considers appropriate, and why it might be a good idea to avoid getting arrested or thrown out of school. He won't be repeating his actions again, I assure you."

But probably not for the reasons Lukas would want.

He has a feeling its that. There's another cough.

"You can talk to his teacher then."

"I will, of course, speak with his teacher. I've done so before."

Because Alec seems to find multiple ways to get into trouble. He frowns at Lukas' cough.

"I hope your health is all right."

It's a knack of Alec's.

Lukas waves his hand briefly. "It is nothing."

Alec looks a bit worried, but doesn't say anything.

"Are you sure? Have you spoken with a doctor?"

There's no love lost between himself and Lukas, but he knows Alec cares for the man, and for that reason, he's perfectly capable of behaving as though he's generally a kind and thoughtful type when it comes to other peoples' health.

Lukas snorts. "Doctors. What do they know?"

Some people have the old country's trust of medicine.

Alec's chewing on his lip.

"Generally far more than those of us not trained in medicine. I admit, I don't like seeing them myself, but there comes a time when one must give in and do so. I see some excellent doctors -- I could give you a recommendation."

There's a suspicious look for a brief moment.

"That's very kind of you to offer. I doubt I'll be able to afford your doctors." It's only a slight jab.

Andrew waves his hand dismissively. "Please. Most doctors who charge an exorbitant fee do so because they know they'll not get any repeat business, and want to maximize their profit while providing the shoddiest work possible. I do not go to expensive doctors -- I go to good doctors."

"Snake oil sales men, yes. But still..."

Alec pipes up here. "Maybe you should, Lukas. It's been getting bad."

Lukas gives him a sharp and angry look and Alec flinches again.

"The boy is concerned about you," Andrew says smoothly, never above using someone else's concern for his own interest. "You should at least see someone. I see a doctor who never charges a fee unless he actually does something, which is far from the norm, I realize, but an excellent way of doing business, assuming one is a decent doctor, which he is."

Lukas grunts and coughs.

"Yes. Fine. Since Sasha asked."

"Good. I'll just write down the information for you, then..."

He shuffles in his desk and pulls out a small pad of paper and a pencil, then glances at his address book, jotting down an address, name, and telephone number. The conversation seems to have turned to this rather than Andrew's failed parenting, so he's happy to keep it going in that direction.

"And I hope that you're explaining to him that it's important to avoid getting arrested beyond the fact that it's an inconvince."